Lot 122
Hardin, John Wesley (1853-1895) Notorious gunfighter and outlaw who supposedly killed over 40 men. In 1878 the law caught up with Hardin for the 1874 murder of Charles Webb, a Texas deputy sheriff, and he was sentenced to 25 years in Huntsville Prison. Hardin studied law while in prison and when the governor of Texas pardoned him in 1894, he opened a law office in El Paso. By 1895 he was back to his old ways--fighting and gambling. When he threatened to kill John Selman, a Texas lawman, Selman's father took no chances that Hardin might make good on his threat and shot Hardin in the back of the head while he was shooting dice. Selman Sr. was tried and acquitted. Hardin was 42 when he died.
Playing card with a bullet hole through the center signed "J.W. Hardin 1895" in black ink the same year that Hardin died. The card, which is the King of Clubs, is matted with a full-length image of Hardin and a business card for John W. Hardin Esq., Attorney At Law, with an office at 200½ El Paso, Wells Fargo Bldg. At lower right, the card says, "Practice in all courts." Overall size is 12½ x 12 in. Fine condition.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 12,000.
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| Realized $8,400 |
